Managing a fleet used to be much more simple. Nobody bothered much about carbon emissions or the environment, or even fuel efficiency or leasing costs. It was all about status or, at best, about getting the job done, rather than any consideration for the environment.

Fast forward to 2011 and things have definitely changed. Environmental considerations are now at the top of the agenda for any corporate or government fleet manager. Creating a green fleet is not only good for the environment, but it is good fro the bottom line as well. Creating a green fleet typically means reducing fleet emissions, burning less fuel and running the most efficient fleet possible.

Traditionally hybrid electric vehicles have played an important role in creating a greener fleet. But more and more fleet managers are turning to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) as a solution. A recent report from Pike Research titled “Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Fleet Markets” forecasts that between 2010 and 2015, more than 1.3 million PEVs will be purchased for use in green fleet operations, with nearly 400,000 vehicles being sold annually by the end of the forecast period.

Passenger cars are expected to be the leading segment in the PEV fleet market over the next five years, with over 80% of total sales in 2015. Adoption of small SUVs is expected to be significantly behind passenger vehicles. Operations that have local, predictable routes such as delivery vehicles and taxis are predicted to be the early adopters for fleet PEVs.

Pike Research’s study analyzes the opportunities and challenges for light-duty HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs in commercial fleet markets around the world. The study examines global growth drivers and business case considerations for fleet managers, and includes detailed market forecasts, segmented by world regions and key countries, as well as profiles for key industry players.

According to Pike Research Senior Analyst, Dave Hurst, “Plug-in electric vehicles are primarily known for their consumer applications, but they will play a greater and greater role in fleets as well. Fleet managers will be drawn to the fuel efficiency benefits of PEVs, in many cases to satisfy requirements to reduce overall fleet emissions. Tax incentives are also a powerful motivator to some fleet operators, though others will not factor this into the equation either because they do not qualify or because the tax incentive is not put back into their budget.”